In comments prior to Monday’s road-trip finale at Washington, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said Jabari Smith Jr. remains on course to rejoin Houston’s starting lineup later this week.

“That’s the plan,” Udoka said (via ClutchFans) upon being asked if Thursday — a home game versus Golden State — is the target for Smith’s return.

Advertisement

Smith sprained his right ankle late in a Feb. 26 win at Orlando, which was the first game of Houston’s current three-game road trip. In postgame comments, Udoka said initial indications were that it wasn’t a major injury.

The fourth-year forward then sat out Saturday’s loss in Miami and Monday’s matchup (box score) versus the Wizards, which gives Smith a full week off before the Rockets open a homestand on Thursday night.

Thursday’s matchup versus Golden State (31-29) is a rematch of the first round of last season’s Western Conference playoffs, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Smith and the Rockets have it circled on their calendars. In fact, it’s the first time the Warriors have played in Houston since their decisive Game 7 victory last May.

Advertisement

As for Smith, the 22-year-old is enjoying a breakthrough season with career-highs in points (15.5 per game), overall shooting percentage (45.5%), 3-point shooting (36.8%), and true shooting (57.4%).

During Monday’s pregame interview, Udoka said Houston will “probably” revert to its previous starting lineup featuring Smith, Alperen Sengun, and Kevin Durant in the frontcourt alongside Amen Thompson and Tari Eason in the backcourt.

Reed Sheppard, a second-year guard who usually functions as Houston’s sixth man off the bench, started both games in Smith’s absence. However, that configuration has left the Rockets smaller on the front line, and Houston struggled to handle Miami’s big men during Saturday’s loss.

Houston (37-22) enters this week at No. 3 in the West standings.

Advertisement

More: Kevin Durant sees Jabari Smith Jr. as ‘X-factor’ for Rockets

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets expect Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle sprain) to return by next game